TV Presenter Kate Humble talks love and country life

TV presenter Kate Humble reveals why going back to nature boosts her sense of wellbeing - and how her husband stole her heart on their first kiss...

Kate Humble, 45, a presenter of nature and science programmes, lives with her husband Ludo Graham, 52, a TV producer, in Monmouthshire, South Wales. They own a smallholding and alongside it run a business offering courses in rural and craft skills, animal husbandry and cookery.

How did you and Ludo meet? My step-grandfather and his great uncle were in the same tank regiment and they stayed in touch after the war. My grandfather organised a big bash to celebrate his 70th birthday and I met Ludo there. I was 16, he was 24. I remember thinking how handsome he was, but he completely ignored me. About four years later, when I’d been travelling and liked the idea of working in TV, my mum suggested I call him. He couldn’t offer me a job but he turned out to be a very good kisser! I never wanted marriage or have children but when he asked me to marry him, I simply couldn’t imagine life without him. We married when I was 23

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Have you both always had a passion for nature and rural living? Ludo and I were both country kids. We had the same upbringing but he was in Yorkshire and I was in Berkshire. We grew up when it was acceptable to climb trees and fall out of them. I despair at how wrapped up in cotton wool today’s kids are. By three years old, I was already wandering off. I went on endless bike rides and I started horse riding from five. My parents encouraged a sense of freedom – they could go all day without seeing me. My roots are in the countryside – that’s where I belong and Ludo feels that too. As long as I’m muddy, I’m happy.

Animals are obviously important to you.. Having animals is a portal into the natural world. You have to be outside when you have them and, when you’re outside, you notice things. We’ve got three different breeds of sheep, three types of pig, 10 kinds of chicken, plus geese, turkeys, ducks, the goats Biscuit and Honey, donkeys Bertie and Lawrence, and our dogs – Badger, Bella and Teg.

When are you happiest? My favourite time of day is just before dawn. I let out the chickens, check on the sheep and then go for a walk with the dogs for almost two hours. Sometimes it’s freezing cold, sometimes I see the sun rise. I heard the first skylark of the year on Valentine’s Day. That quiet start to the day is wonderful. When I have challenges or conundrums, going outside for my morning walk helps put things in perspective.